Pipette Tip Extension With Distance Elements for Controlled Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid handling systems face challenges in automating the use of individual plastic tubes due to complex handling of lids or caps, and aggregation in microplates complicates processing, especially in small-batch applications.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip extension that attaches to a pipette tip, featuring a proximal end, distal end, and an exterior wall with distance elements forming a fluid uptake area, maintaining an open reception aperture for fluid connection with the atmosphere, allowing for precise positioning and mixing of liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual plastic tubes are used for liquid handling, then single-use convenience and contamination prevention are improved, but automation handling becomes complicated due to lids or caps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the lid or cap from the tube system entirely. The tube is designed to be open at the top, allowing liquid to be added directly without requiring separate closing components. This extraction of the lid/cap element eliminates the automation complexity associated with de- and recapping operations while maintaining the single-use convenience of individual tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the tube into distinct functional segments: the tube body for liquid containment and the integrated spout for controlled dispensing. The spout is formed as an integral part of the tube structure, eliminating the need for separate caps or lids. This segmentation allows the tube to be handled automatically by pipetting robots while maintaining ease of use.
2Extent of automation
If tubes are aggregated in microplates, then automation handling is improved, but processing complexity increases especially in small-batch applications
Solution Approach 1:
The tube design serves multiple functions within a single component: it provides liquid containment, controlled dispensing through the integrated spout, and direct compatibility with pipetting robots. The spout acts as both a dispensing control mechanism and an interface for automated liquid handling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate caps, lids, or specialized microplate formats, simplifying processing while maintaining automation capability.
3Extent of automation
If a pipette tip extension is added to enable automation, then automation integration is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the spout and tube into a single integrated component. The spout is formed as an integral part of the tube structure during molding, creating a unified piece that combines liquid containment and controlled dispensing functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate pipette tip extensions or additional attachment components, achieving automation integration while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipette tip is inserted into the tube from the bottom, with the spout extending upward to receive liquid. The nested arrangement of the pipette tip within the tube body, combined with the integrated spout structure, creates a compact design that interfaces naturally with automated pipetting systems without requiring additional external components or extensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipette tip extension attachable to a pipette tip is disclosed. The pipette tip extension has a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The exterior wall has an outer side and an inner side and forms at the proximal end a reception aperture for inserting a pipette tip. The pipette tip extension also has a bottom at the distal end, an inner cavity enclosed by the inner side of the exterior wall and the bottom, and one or more distance elements arranged at the inner side of the exterior wall and protruding into the inner cavity.